Tag: God

I realize that not all of you are Christian, but hear me out anyway. I was praying the other day on my way into work. (I do that.) And, the following thoughts occurred to me. God doesn’t make mistakes. God loves me. God made me who I am.

For a good portion of my life, I have struggled in my relationship with God and being gay. Right-wing “Christians” will point to all sorts of passages in the Bible as proof that God hates gays. Just last week, a right-wing co-worker proclaimed that if I am secure in being gay, it must be because Satan has been answering my prayers. Satan – not God.

And, they wonder why we hate them.

Actually, I don’t hate my co-worker, I pity her. And, her comment led to a very interesting discussion with my pastor (yes, I attend church – although, I admit that I miss some Sundays). And, that conversation led to something I believe that God revealed to me while I was praying. Ready? Because I’m serious:

God loves us – every single one of us – and He wants us to be happy. On top of that, He wants us to have a relationship with Him and His Son. And – anyone who interferes with our relationship with God is not working for God and they are not taking orders from God – they are doing Satan’s work.

Think about that. I’ll wait. Read it again, if you must. I’ll even repeat it – if someone interferes with your relationship with God, they are doing Satan’s work.

See, Satan wants our souls. He has a deal with God. He can tempt us and if we give in to him, he gets our soul. BUT, we have to freely give Satan our soul. I’ve never done that – have you? Well, if you have, you can get it back, by asking for forgiveness from God. But, that’s another topic.

See, Rev Phelps from the Westboro Baptist Church – you know, the “God Hates Fags” guy – He’s working for Satan. NOM – the National Organization of Marriage people – Satanists. American Family Associations – HUGE SATAN FOLLOWERS. And, all these groups have something in common – they are very sad and we should pray for them. They don’t realize that they are working for Satan. They have been so overtaken by believing in themselves, by their destructive self-righteousness, that they have scales on their eyes. These people are the modern day Sadducees and Pharisees – you know, those people who were so against Jesus in the Bible and tried to trick Him. They had an answer for everything. And, they were wrong.

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that all who believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

Don’t forget that.

I’m not saying that we aren’t sinners. We are. Everyone is a sinner. But, we’re not sinners solely because we’re gay. Should we try to live a righteous life? Well, I can’t speak for you, but I try to do so. Do I succeed? Not always.

And, now a quote from Spencer Tracy: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” If you have a relationship with God, don’t hide it. Live it, breathe it and pass it on. If you don’t, don’t hide from Him. He loves you and He wants a relationship with you. Don’t run from Him. And, don’t let the bastards get you down. Don’t let the right-wing terrorists separate you from the love of God. Living in His light is better than living in their darkness.

Throughout the years, right wing religious commentators have blamed everything from hurricanes to 9/11 on homosexuals.

In fact, Jerry Falwell appeared with Pat Robertson just two days after the the 9/11 attack and pretty much blamed everyone who is left of him and Robertson for 9/11.

I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say “you helped this happen.” – Jerry Falwell

Here’s a quote from Cindy Jacobs:

“According to Biblical principles, a marriage is between a man and a woman. So, we have to say what happens when a nation makes a decision that is against God’s principles. Often what happens is that nature itself will begin to talk to us, for instance violent storms, flooding.”

Now, I want you to know, that I’m not using the whole quote here – not yet. She’s actually going to help me make this point.

This morning, when I saw the news that North Dakota is next on the list for severe flooding, I started thinking about how these extremist like to blame gays and it made me wonder. Why are we having all of the flooding that has hit the nation? What in the world could be going on? Is God mad at us?

According to Cindy Jacobs, the answer is yes. To continue the quote from above, she says:

“There are actually some patterns you can see where a nation will make a decision that is contrary to the principles of God and after that there is some kind of answer that God gives.”

Based on her beliefs, God is most likely punishing us for something. Now, she thinks that God is punishing us for the removal of DADT, but I think she’s way off base. (She, also, was referring to the death of some birds.)

I think these right-wing Christian extremists are right. God has removed his protections from us. God has literally rained down upon us huge floods. But, if you look at where he has chosen to take out his anger, you’ll see that he’s taking it out on the Red states. The states who have declared a war on health care for all. The states that have declared a war on marriage equality.

I thought, perhaps, we should look at what has happened to the states that banned gay marriage. I’m finding that quite a few of them have had their answer from God.

Nevada passed an anti-gay amendment in 2002. In 2003, “The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized firefighting funds to help Nevada fight the Red Rock fire that began July 10 in Washoe County northwest of Reno. The authorization is only the second granted to the state this year.” They needed a lot of help in 2003. Think God was mad at them for something?

Florida passed their anti-gay amendment in 2008. In 2009, “Nearly 1,300 north Floridians have registered for federal-state disaster assistance following the storms and flooding of late-March through early May and there are still a few days left for others to do the same…Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance was approved for eligible homeowners, renters and businesses in the following counties: Calhoun, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.”

I know what you’re thinking, but that’s no proof, Florida is always getting hit by storms and needing Federal Aid. There’s more.

In 2005, Huricanne Katrina ripped through Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia and caused millions of dollars of damage. A severe winter storm cause parts of Kentucky to be declared a disaster area by FEMA.

Also in 2005, 26 counties of Oklahoma were declared disaster areas because of the Texas-Oklahoma wildfires.

I think all of this just proves that God isn’t happy with these states for passing bans on marriage equality. I don’t think He’s really into all the right-wingers. Think about it. He’s pulled his protection, but He’s aiming for states that lean the farthest to the right, not the left.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the New York Congressman who went looking for booty (and not the pirate kind) by advertising himself on Craigs list or is it Craigslist? Anyway, I am just wondering when the Republican Party will lose its reputation for their non-existent moral fiber? What will it take for the scales to fall off the eyes and people will see what they really are: flawed, failing human beings – just like the rest of us – who should not be preaching to anyone.

Which brings me to my next thought I’ve written about many times over, but I’m going to write about again: When are we going to become a true Christian nation?
The answer is, of course and as it should be, never. And, if that is the case, can we just drop the facade?

We are a nation built on Christian morals and Christian values – you hear some form of that all the time from right wing pundits and it sounds nice, but it is just not true.
Ask yourself: What Would Jesus Do about illegal immigation? Would He stand on the border protecting it? Would He complain about it in Congress and pound the repeated thought that something must be done?
No, He would not. He would stand at the border, with His arms opened wide saying, “Come, follow me into the land of milk and honey.” You know He would and if you would just open your heart and listen for His voice, you would hear him tell you. Close your ears to the thought that there is something wrong with our brothers and sisters to the south. They just want what you want – a nice, safe place to raise their kids and live their lives. Hate begins with the devil – love comes from God.

And, we’re NOT a Christian nation until we live as He lived, so let’s stop pretending and stop invoking His name in our political battles.